Cellular phone line replacement adapter

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automated processing and routing of data messages or packets, via a cellular network, from analog or digital data devices where said routing is accomplished without a need for call origination on the cellular network. The present invention includes a fixed cellular communication device and may also include a fixed wireless RF communication device and/or a mobile wireless RF transceiver. The fixed cellular communication device provides a means for formatting and transmission of data packets received from data devices directly connected to the fixed cellular communication device, or the fixed cellular communication device may receive signals from the fixed wireless RF communication device and/or from the mobile wireless RF transceiver.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/726,046 filed on Oct. 12, 2005, which is hereby fullyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fixed cellular communication devicefor transmitting data over a cellular communications network.

2. Description of Related Art

Traditionally, analog data devices such as security panels, alarmpanels, satellite set top boxes (STB), point of sale terminals (POS),credit card machines, remote data devices, telemetry devices, etc., usePlain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines for communication. However,with the widespread proliferation of cellular service, many POTS linesare being displaced by cellular service. In other cases, POTS lineavailability is non-existent. A signaling method used by these analogdata devices is typically accomplished using an analog modem, whichutilizes frequency shift-keyed (FSK) or dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF)tones at a low baud rate. In addition, a modem of an originating analogdata device requires an answering modem at the end, or called,communication point, which provides FSK tones for at least: handshaking,message termination, cyclic redundancy checks, etc. Analog data devices,by nature, send messages that are typically short in length and requirea return message from the answering or destination point. Furthermore, adial-tone and loop current must be provided by another device tosimulate a POTS line interface, which is typically required by theanalog data device. Due to the interface requirements of the modem inthe analog data device, direct connection to a cellular device isimpossible due to requirements of a dial-tone and a loop current, whichcannot be provided by the cellular device. In addition, a cellulardevice in the form of a fixed wireless terminal (FWT) or fixed wirelesscellular terminal (FCT) requires set-up command strings to set it in acorrect cellular transmission mode. While interfaces have been devisedto overcome these interface issues, the cellular device must stilloriginate a call on a cellular network, thereby invoking traditionalvoice rates from a serving cellular carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatedprocessing and routing of data messages or packets, via the cellularnetwork, from analog or digital data devices. The present inventioncomprises a fixed cellular communication device, a fixed wireless RFcommunication device; and a mobile wireless RF transceiver.

The fixed cellular communication device (dongle) comprises elements suchas, but not limited to: a cellular transceiver; a power supply, ananalog modem; a wireless RF bi-directional communication transceiver; asubscriber line interface; an Ethernet port; a tone generator; a looppower supply; a GPS receiver (optional); and a microcontroller withmemory.

The fixed communication device may have multiple configurations and mayutilize any cellular communication network including, but not limitedto, Advanced Mobile Phone Service/Code Division Access (AMPS/CDMA),Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) and WiMAX. Integral to the cellularcommunication device is a wireless RF transceiver that can provide asecure, point to point or point to multi-point, short rangecommunications link. If needed, the integral RF communication link mayutilize at least the following wireless access methods: BluetoothZigBee, WiFi, WiMAX, FHSS, DSSS, FM, FSK, AM, UWB or other wirelessaccess methods. The RF communication link may be used for, but is notlimited to, transmitting and receiving signals from another fixed remotewireless RF communication device connected to a data device, which mayinclude at least the following: a satellite set top box; a securitypanel; an alarm panel; a telemetry device; a SCADA device; a Point ofSale (POS) terminal; a credit card machine; or a vending machine. The RFcommunication link may also be used to send and receive data from amobile, or nomadic, wireless RF transceiver.

A fixed cellular communication device connected to an RJ-11 modemcommunication jack of a data device recognizes when the data deviceattempts to communicate with another device or location. In addition,the fixed cellular communication device may utilize, as a secondarymeans of communication, a serial data port for communication with thedata device. Upon the initiation of communication by the data device,the fixed cellular communication device processes the data and forwardsit as a series of formatted circuit switched or packet switched datapacket(s) via a cellular network, to a central processing system withouta need for a voice call origination on the cellular network. The centralprocessing system re-formats the message into the original form sent bythe data device. This information or message can then be disseminated bythe central processing system to other points or systems. In addition,the fixed cellular communication device can receive messages from thecentral processing system via the cellular network. The received messageis re-formatted by the fixed cellular communication device into theoriginal message form and the message is sent to the data device thatoriginated the message to the central processing system. The fixedcellular communication device may also utilize a bi-directional,wireless RF link to communicate with other wireless RF communicationdevices that are within range, which are connected to a remote datadevice. In addition, the fixed cellular communication device can providea high speed, bi-directional TCP/IP data link via the cellular network,as yet a third means of communication with a data device.

Furthermore, the wireless RF link capability of the device can be usedto communicate with a mobilize wireless RF device for the purpose ofsending and receiving unique data or information to and from the mobiledevice. Data from the mobile device can be sent over the cellularnetwork to the central processing point via either the fixed cellularcommunication device or a fixed wireless RF communication device actingas a repeater to the device.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparenthereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particularreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a fixed cellular communication devicein a physical form of an AC wall adapter according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective rear view of the AC wall adapter according tothe present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the components of the fixed cellularcommunication device according, to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the components of a wireless RFcommunication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a wireless RF transceiver.

FIG. 6 is a system diagram of a fixed cellular device and correspondingcell tower according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a fixed cellular communication device20 (see FIG. 3) according to the present invention. As visible from theview of FIG. 1, the fixed cellular communication device 20 is adapted ina physical form of an AC wall adapter 10 which includes a phone jack 12and an Ethernet jack 14.

FIG. 2 provides a rear view of the AC wall adapter 10 which essentiallyshows an AC plug, or AC input, 16. A user may connect the AC walladapter 10 into any AC outlet available. Once the fixed cellularcommunication device 20 is connected and supplied with power, the usermay use the various functions that are associated with the fixedcellular communication device 20 such as transmission of data over acellular network including modem transmissions and GPS datatransmissions. The fixed cellular communication device 20 enables theuser to use a mobile wireless RF transceiver 50 (see FIG. 5) or a fixedwireless RF communication device 30 (see FIG. 5) for transmission ofdata via the cellular network. One advantageous feature of the fixedcellular communication device 20 includes its ability to transmit datain formatted packets via the cellular network without the need for callorigination.

FIG. 3 shows an overview block diagram of the fixed cellularcommunication device 20 according to the present invention. Thecomponents within the cellular communication device 20 include Ethernettransceiver 29, subscriber line interface circuitry 28 connected to aninternal modem 27, and a serial data port 26. Ethernet jack 14, phonejack 12, and serial port 26 provide hardware connections for variouscommunication devices which may transmit and receive voice/data throughthe cellular communication device 20. The subscriber line interfacecircuitry 28 provides a dial tone and loop voltage in order to simulatea POTS line. Accordingly, the subscriber line interface circuitry 28 maybe used to transmit voice signals and data signals through the internalmodem 27. The Ethernet transceiver 29 includes provisions for 10 Base T,CAT-5 bi-directional data, which supports data services via a cellularnetwork.

Other components shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3 include: cellulartransceiver 25 and antenna 25 a; GPS receiver 24 and antenna 24 a; andsecondary RF transceiver 23 and antenna 23 a. The secondary RFtransceiver 23 provides a non-cellular communication link for point topoint or point to multi-point communications with either fixed or mobiledevices. The secondary RF transceiver 23 also utilizes received signalstrength (RSSI) to determine the distance from a mobile device.Furthermore, the secondary RF transceiver provides a non-cellularcommunication link for the purpose of sending and receiving datainitiated from another fixed or mobile device. The GPS receiver 24assists in the transmission of position or location data over thecellular network. The cellular transceiver 25 advantageously allows forthe sending and receiving of data in the form of short data packets overa cellular network. The transmission of these packets of either voice ordata information may be sent without the need for call origination onthe cellular network.

The fixed cellular communication device 20 also includes a switch modepower supply 21 which receives power through an AC input 16, 120 VAC 60Hz, and distributes voltage in three different modes as shown, 5 VDC,3.3 VDC and 48 VDC. A microcontroller 22 controls the various componentsshown in the block diagram of the fixed cellular communication device20. In one embodiment, the microcontroller 22 is a model PIC18F6620microcontroller manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc., of Chandler,Ariz. Input and output functions are shown for the Ethernet transceiver29, the modem 27, the cellular transceiver 25, the GPS receiver 24 andthe secondary RF transceiver 23. Control functions are also shown forthose devices and the power supply 21.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a wireless RF communication device 30.As noted, the wireless RF communication device 30 includes essentiallyall the components as depicted in the fixed cellular communicationdevice 20 excluding a cellular transceiver. Accordingly, the wireless RFcommunication device 30 includes a microcontroller 32; a secondary RFtransceiver 33 and antenna 33 a; a GPS receiver 34 and antenna 34 a; aserial port 36; a RJ 11 phone jack 38 connected to an internal modem 37;an Ethernet transceiver 39; and a switch mode power supply 31. Thewireless RF communication device 30 may transmit data via the secondaryRF transceiver 33 to the fixed cellular communication device 20 via thesecondary RF transceiver 23. The Ethernet jack 39, phone jack 38, andserial data port 36 provide a means for hardware to be connected to thewireless RF communication device 30. Wireless communications may betransmitted via the secondary RF transceiver 33 and GPS receiver 34.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a mobile wireless RF transceiver 50which includes a microcontroller 52, a RF transceiver module 51, abattery 54 and an antenna 51 a. The mobile wireless RF transceiver 50may easily access a cellular network via the fixed cellularcommunication device 20 by transmitting non-cellular RF signals to thesecondary RF transceiver 23 of the fixed cellular communication device.With the mobile wireless RF transceiver 50, a user may access thecellular network via the fixed cellular communication device 20 asopposed to transmitting voice or data directly to a cellular basestation (not shown). Also, the mobile wireless RF transceiver 50 mayadvantageously transmit through the fixed wireless RF communicationdevice 30 where data is relayed to the fixed cellular communicationdevice 20. The mobile wireless RF transceiver 50 includes a receivedsignal strength measurement capability for the purpose of measuringdistance between it and the fixed wireless RF communication device 30 orthe fixed cellular communication device 20.

FIG. 6 shows a system overview according to the present invention. Asshown in the system overview, the fixed cellular communication device 20transmits signals to a cell tower 60 in order to access a cellularnetwork. Shown and connected to the fixed cellular communication device20 are a data device 43 and an analog data device 45 where the analogdata device 45 is connected to the phone jack 28 and the data device 43is connected the Ethernet jack 29. Communications between the fixedwireless RF communication device 30 and the fixed cellular communicationdevice 20 are achieved through antenna 33 a and antenna 23 a. The fixedcellular communication device 20 accesses the cellular network throughthe cell tower 60. Signals are transmitted from the fixed cellularcommunication device 20 through antenna 25 a to cell tower 60. Signalsfrom the fixed wireless RF communication device 30 or the mobilewireless RF device 50 may be formatted and reformatted for subsequenttransmission in the form of short data packets via the cellular network.The system enables the fixed cellular communication device 20 totranslate data messages from one format to another. Furthermore, thefixed cellular communication device 20 may be polled or queried via thecellular network. The fixed cellular communication device 20 may includea link mobile identification number (MIN) and an electronic serialnumber (ESN) or an international mobile equipment identifier (IMEI).These identifying identifiers may be transmitted via the cellularnetwork. Furthermore, the fixed cellular communication device 20 may beaccessed and programmed via the cellular network.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what isconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It isrecognized, however that departures may be made therefrom within thescope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to aperson skilled in the ant.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication device for sending and receivingdata via a cellular network comprising: a cellular transceiver thattransmits and receives data on a cellular network via data packets,wherein transmission of the data packets takes place without voice callorigination on the cellular network; a non-cellular RF transceiver forreceiving signals from an external non-cellular RF device that isexternal to the communication device, wherein the cellular transceiverre-transmits on the cellular network data packets received by thenon-cellular RF transceiver from the external non-cellular RF device; amicrocontroller including a memory storage means, wherein themicrocontroller controls functionality of components of thecommunication device and transmission of data through the communicationdevice; an Ethernet transceiver; and a power supply which supplies powerto each component of said communication device, wherein thecommunication device is adapted in a physical form of an AC wall adapterthat includes an AC plug on a first side of the AC wall adapter and anEthernet jack on one or more sides of the AC wall adapter other than thefirst side.
 2. The communication device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a data device, wherein, upon initiation of communication bythe data device, the communication device processes the data andforwards the data on to the cellular network, via the cellulartransceiver, as a series of formatted circuit-switched orpacket-switched data packets.
 3. The communication device according toclaim 2, further comprising a serial port for communication with thedata device.
 4. The communication device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a GPS receiver, wherein said GPS receiver provides positionaldata for transmission, by the cellular transceiver, over the cellularnetwork.
 5. The communication device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an Ethernet transceiver including an Ethernet jack, whereinsaid Ethernet jack provides a means for connecting a data device to thecommunication device and wherein said Ethernet transceiver includesprovisions for 10 Base T, CAT-5 bi-directional data which supports dataservices via the cellular network, wherein the communication deviceprocesses data received from the data device, and wherein the cellulartransceiver transmits said data as a series of formattedcircuit-switched or packet-switched data packets on the cellularnetwork; and subscriber line interface circuitry including a RJ-11 phoneline jack, wherein the RJ-11 phone line jack provides a means to connectan analog modem device to said communication device and wherein thesubscriber line interface circuitry provides a dial tone and loopvoltage in order to simulate a POTS line.
 6. The communication deviceaccording to claim 5, further comprising an analog modem deviceconnected to the RJ-11 phone line jack.
 7. The communication deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said microcontroller further comprises ameans, residing in the memory storage means, to format data transmittedvia the cellular network.
 8. The communication device according to claim1, wherein said non-cellular RF transceiver includes at least one of aWiFi 802.11a/b/g/n transceiver, a Bluetooth 802.15.1 transceiver and aZigBee 802.15.4 transceiver.
 9. The communication device according toclaim 1, wherein, prior to re-transmission by the cellular transceiver,the signals received by the non-cellular RF transceiver from theexternal non-cellular RF device are reformatted by the communicationsdevice into a series of circuit-switched data packets.
 10. Thecommunication device according to claim 1, wherein, prior tore-transmission by the cellular transceiver, the signals received by thenon-cellular RF transceiver from the external non-cellular RF device arereformatted by the communications device into a series ofpacket-switched data packets.
 11. The communication device according toclaim 5, further comprising a serial data port for receiving the datafrom the data device, wherein the communication device processes datareceived from the data device, and wherein the cellular transceivertransmits said data as a series of formatted circuit-switched orpacket-switched data packets on the cellular network.
 12. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the Ethernet jack is on a sideopposite the first side.
 13. The communication device of claim 1,wherein the AC plug is adapted to plug into an AC power outlet.
 14. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the Ethernet jack is coupled tothe Ethernet transceiver, and the AC plug is coupled to the powersupply.
 15. A system, comprising: a fixed communication device, whereinsaid fixed communication device includes a cellular transceiver, asecondary RF transceiver, subscriber line interface circuitry includinga phone line connection, an Ethernet transceiver including an Ethernetconnection, a microcontroller and a power supply, wherein said cellulartransceiver transmits data on a cellular network, wherein saidmicrocontroller controls said transmission of data, and wherein thesecondary RF transceiver provides a non-cellular, bi-directionalcommunication link with fixed or mobile non-cellular devices; an analogdata device connected to the fixed communication device via the phoneline connection, wherein the cellular transceiver transmits, via thecellular network, data received from the analog data device; a datadevice connected to the fixed communication device via the Ethernetconnection, wherein the cellular transceiver transmits, via the cellularnetwork, data received from the data device without initiating a voicecall on the cellular network, and wherein, upon initiation ofcommunication by the data device, the fixed communication deviceprocesses the data and forwards the data as a series of formattedpacket-switched data packets; and a mobile non-cellular RF transceiverincluding a RF transceiver module for transmitting and receiving datawith the secondary RF transceiver of the fixed communication device, amicrocontroller and a power supply, wherein the mobile non-cellular RFtransceiver transmits and receives data via the fixed communicationdevice over the cellular network, wherein the fixed communication deviceis adapted in a physical form of an AC wall adapter that includes an ACplug, a phone jack and an Ethernet jack, wherein the AC plug is adaptedto plug into an AC power outlet.
 16. The system according to claim 15,further comprising: a non-cellular RF communication device including asecondary RF transceiver, subscriber line interface circuitry, anEthernet transceiver, a microcontroller and a power supply, wherein thenon-cellular RF communication device indirectly transmits and receivesdata over the cellular network, wherein such data is relayed through thefixed communication device, wherein the secondary RF transceiver of thenon-cellular RF communication device transmits and receives data withthe secondary RF transceiver of the fixed communication device, whereinsaid subscriber line interface circuitry and Ethernet transceiverprovide means for connection of one or more data devices to thenon-cellular RF communication device, and wherein said microcontrollerprovides a means for controlling data transmissions between the fixedcommunication device and the non-cellular RF communication device; and asecond analog data device, coupled to the non-cellular RF communicationdevice, wherein said second analog data device transmits and receivesdata via the non-cellular RF communication device for transmission overthe cellular network by the fixed communication device.
 17. The systemaccording to claim 15, where said secondary RF transceiver moduleincludes at least one of a 802.11a/b/g/n transceiver, a 802.15.4 ZigBeetransceiver and a 802.15.1 Bluetooth transceiver.
 18. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the AC plug is on a first side of the AC wall adapterand the phone jack and the Ethernet jack are on one or more sides of theAC wall adapter other than the first side.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein the phone jack and the Ethernet jack are on a side opposite thefirst side.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the AC plug is coupledto the power supply, the phone jack is coupled to the subscriber lineinterface circuitry and the Ethernet jack is coupled to the Ethernettransceiver.
 21. A fixed communication device, comprising: a cellulartransceiver that communicates data on a cellular network via datapackets, wherein transmission of the data packets takes place withoutvoice call origination on the cellular network; a secondary RFtransceiver for wireless non-cellular communication of data with anon-cellular device; an Ethernet transceiver for coupling to a datadevice; a modem; subscriber line interface circuitry, coupled to themodem, the subscriber line interface circuitry for coupling to an analogdata device; and a microcontroller including a memory, wherein themicrocontroller controls functionality of components of, andtransmission of data through, the fixed communication device, wherein,upon initiation of communication of data by one of the non-cellulardevice, the data device and the analog data device, the fixedcommunication device processes the data and forwards the data on to thecellular network, via the cellular transceiver, as a series of formatteddata packets, and wherein the fixed communication device is adapted in aphysical form of an AC wall adapter that includes a phone jack and anEthernet jack.
 22. The fixed communication device of claim 21, whereinthe AC wall adapter includes an AC plug on a first side, and includes,on one or more sides other than the first side, a phone jack and anEthernet jack.
 23. The fixed communication device of claim 22, whereinthe phone jack and the Ethernet jack are on a side opposite the firstside.
 24. The fixed communication device of claim 23, wherein the,wherein the AC plug is adapted to plug into an AC power outlet.
 25. Thefixed communication device of claim 21, wherein the phone jack iscoupled to the subscriber line interface circuitry and the Ethernet jackis coupled to the Ethernet transceiver.